Suspected gunmen have kidnapped another traditional ruler in Imo State.
The latest victim is Eze Aloy Igwe, the traditional ruler of Umuezeala-Ama ancient kingdom in the Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of the state.
It was learnt that the monarch was kidnapped on Tuesday evening at the Nkwo Umuezeala market while he was addressing the people of his domain.
According to a village source, “Eze Aloy Igwe of Umuezeala-Ama kingdom has been kidnapped. He was kidnapped on Tuesday evening at the Umuezeala market square. Some guys carrying guns stopped and ordered him to join their vehicle. The monarch obeyed and since then his whereabouts have remained unknown.”
Recall that this is the latest in the attacks on royal fathers in the state.
Last Sunday, two traditional rulers, Acho Ndukwe and Paul Ogbu were abducted by suspected gunmen, who also burnt down their palaces.
Although Ndukwe was rescued 24 hours later, Ogbu’s whereabouts have since remained unknown.
On December 9, the traditional ruler of Mbutu ancient kingdom in the Aboh Mbaise LGA, Damian Nwaigwe and his counterpart from Atta ancient kingdom in the Njaba LGA, Edwin Azike were kidnapped separately.
While Azike was kidnapped and his corpse dumped at the market square in his community, Nwaigwe was freed two days later.
The traditional ruler of Achi Mbieri in the Mbaitoli LGA, Henry Madumere, was on November 9 abducted at Iho in the Ikeduru LGA while going to a public function.
The royal father, who is in his 80s and said to be the father of a former deputy governor of the state, Eze Madumere, was released six days later by his abductors.
Also, on October 19, the traditional ruler of the Etekwuru autonomous community in the Ohaji-Egbema LGA, Kenneth Okereke escaped assassination. But his attackers razed his palace and burnt his official vehicle after he escaped.
On October 19, gunmen stormed Njaba LGA council Headquarters, Nnenasa, opened fire on some royal fathers and killing two of them on the spot while two others fell into a coma and were rushed to an undisclosed hospital where they were later resuscitated.
Gunmen abducted Eze Charles Irogebu of Umuezie community in Nguru-Aboh Mbaise LGA and his cabinet chiefs on April 7 while they were returning from a traditional wedding ceremony at Ehime Mbano LGA.
The royal father’s abductors were said to have double-crossed his convoy, kidnapped him and his cabinet chiefs.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Michael Abattam, had yet to confirm the latest kidnap of the traditional ruler.